Kinesio taping: sticking instead of swallowing pills

We are seeing the colorful patches on our shoulders, legs or knees more and more often. Kinesiology taping comes from Japan and helps with muscle tension and joint pain, for example. You can use this method to prevent overloading, especially if the muscle has been working hard. The flexible kinesio tapes provide the body with ideal support and help it during training, for example with the Theraband. We explain how kinesio taping works, what it does and how the tapes are applied.

via Tanja Seiffert

09/13/2018, 12:00

Kinesio Taping: Kleben statt Pillen schlucken — With Kinesio Taping you can do without one or two pills

1. pain relief with Kinesio Tapes
2. color selection
3. applying kinesio tapes

1. pain relief with kinesio taping

Kinesio tapes consist of an elastic, waterproof cotton fabric and a polyacrylate adhesive. The material is hypoallergenic and is normally also well tolerated by people with a plaster allergy. They have the same elasticity and thickness as human skin, which is why they can adapt perfectly to the body with all its movements. Blood circulation, self-healing powers and energy flow are stimulated and pain hormones are reduced. The doctor or physiotherapist decides whether kinesio taping is used exclusively or as an adjunct to treatment. The tapes remain on the skin for up to seven days, after which they usually fall off by themselves or are removed depending on the treatment. Kinesio tapes can be a blessing for pregnant women, as you want to avoid painkillers as much as possible during pregnancy.

2. choice of color

The right color of tape is important because this Japanese therapy is based on the assumption that colors influence bodily processes. If you need an extra energy boost, you should therefore choose red or orange. Of course, this has not been scientifically proven. Otherwise, there is a whole palette of bright colors.

3. applying kinesio tape

Can I apply the tapes myself? Only if you really know how to do it. Otherwise, it is strongly recommended that you leave this to a doctor or therapist. There is too great a risk that the result of self-treatment will be zero, the opposite or cause new problems. Apart from that, you should be able to access the affected areas easily.

General tips for application:

For optimum hold, the skin should be clean, free of grease and dry.
You should be able to move freely with the tapes, so there should be no tension or tugging.
The skin should not fold under the tape, as this can cause blisters.
If the corners are cut round, the tapes will last longer.
If you have a lot of hair, you should shave the areas beforehand - the tapes will last longer and it will hurt less when you remove them.
After applying the kinesion tapes, smooth them out again - as with parcel tape, so that it holds better.